Giveaway Happiness is packing its bags and heading to Switzerland! Juanita is the proud winner! Congratulations--I emailed you for your address. Thank you to everyone who took part.
News highlight. Guess who started a blog. Ami! You can visit her at whimkit; if you stop by, please say hello. You can expect many creative escapades--and much quirkiness. Lovely, pretty, I cannot get more of, quirkiness.
Summer is here. So wonderful. It is 100 degrees today and hey can you hear me complaining. Summer is here, and just by coincidence, so is my brand new tote bag. When I was in India earlier this year, I began learning how to sew; after getting back to NYC, I signed up for a beginners sewing class at Purl Patchwork. I do believe I have a serious urge to sew--I think a lot of that has to do with the kind of sound/rhythm a machine in action makes. It is so---soothing.
Moving on. This is what I made in the class. It is a squarish tote bag with a lining and a small pouch with a zipper. I can now say that I now understand the science behind cutting fabric and seam allowances. And yes--I can now sew in a straight line. Finally, though I loved the old school machines, the automatic machines are a modern miracle. Smooth, with no acrobatic moves necessary.
Sewing is way different than knitting/ crochet. There is no looking back after you cut the fabric. No frogging, no ripping. Sewing (especially cutting fabric) creates anxiety in me--but I think that is because I am still figuring out things. I am not sure if I am going to remember many things from class. For instance, how to add a zip. I am hoping this stuff is just "going to come back to me."
Patterns: From the Purl Patchwork class manual for beginner sewing class
Fabric: From Purl Patchwork
15 comments:
I absolutely love your bag, especially the fabric you chose. You did a lovely job, even on the zipper - not an easy task :)
I have been thinking a lot about sewing lately too, mostly because I'm tired of not being able to find the kind of summer tops I like. Dealing with bust darts and waist shaping is one thing in knitting, though, but much more daunting with sewing. Hmm...yet I can't help being inspired by your tote...
Congrats to the winner
Your tote is cute, love the cheery bright fabric.
The zippered pouch looks so neat.Iam also trying to find some sewing classes here :)
O h. M y. Goodness!
I won!!!
Whee!
I can't wait to receive your email!
:)
Your sewing skills are super -- I'm jealous. Like you, I too get an 'anxiety attack' before/while cutting fabric -- it is so... 'committing'.
Great job on that lovely tote and pencil case!!!
PS. Is that scooter -in the picture- yours? It's cute!
that tote is soo cute and summery..
hope you stay cool and indoors
... and maybe sew?
really nice tote welcoming summer:)
Lovely bag! I got my sewing machine for Christmas and have made a few things, but I would love to take a beginner's class. I've been relying on what I learned in Home Economics class in middle school and what my grandma showed me the summer I was 14.
Congrats to Ami on finally getting started at blogging.
Sewing is real fun I am sure. I had an Usha Janome automatic back in India. Was thinking of buying one here soon.
Nice summerish fabric you chose for your tote.
Keep it up !
Lovely tote and zippered pouch. Isn't sewing great? I just love it. Probably because I'm not a fast knitter, so gratification is realized much quicker for me with sewing...anyhoo, great job!!
What an adorable summery bag! You did good! I am very impatient with sewing... I have sewed for over 45 years now but still find I am impatient with it... and because of that I always end up making some sort of mistake! I want to make a bag like yours now! If I find the perfect fabric I'll do that. Thanks for the giveaway chance... that was fun but I didn't win! :( Oh well!!! Lucky Juanita!
ooooo. Welcome to a whole new world of addictions. Now you will develop a massive fabric stash. Maybe you won't, but it happens so easily! Much like with yarn...
Beautiful bag, Rima! I am hoping to take a beginner's sewing class while I'm here in India - I have this insane wish to make my own salwar suits. But like you said, I have to begin with trying to sew in a straight line...
I love the bag and pouch. Since reading this post, I'm thinking of taking a class at purl too--although it's been years since I've even looked at a sewing machine! They have such amazing fabrics in their fabric shop--I sometimes peek in there just to drool...
AWESOME tote!
Psst...I tagged you for a meme :)
glad to have seen the tote in action before I left the city. it's lovely! congratulations again for doing a great job with your first sewing project. :)
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